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Wakefield Support Group For Autism








[Watching The Show] Our group's final event of a busy 2003 was our mid December children's Christmas party.




[Lewis and Entertainer]
  • This genuinely always popular event was again very well attended as you can see from the image on the left here.       There are many more children here "out of shot"!


  • This event was organised very well indeed by our own Mandi Gay.       To whom we owe a big "Thank You".


  • The image on the left shows Lewis with our excellent entertainer.       Complete with some of his colourful props.


    [Abagail and Baloons]
  • A special (but unsurprising?) visitor was Santa.       This bloke took time out from his very busy schedule to visit our children at St. Peter and Paul's Church Hall.       If a photograph turns up of the event we'll stick it up here.       But I'm sure you have some idea of the geezer's appearance!


  • I'm told that Santa "disturbed "some sleeping Lions".       I don't really know what this means - can someone please provide some detail?


  • Here on the left is a nice picture of Abagail and some baloons.







    [Yvette Cooper and Keith Sorrell] Computer Competition, winners decided, notified and overall winner announced.       This following text is that submitted to the pontefract & Castleford Express.       It is reproduced below because it is a good account, also it saves me writing one!


  • Nine Autistic Children Get Computerised.       Local Mp Yvette Cooper was this week called upon to be the judge in a childrens competition to win a refurbished computer system, kindly donated by Airedale Computer Recycling.       The competition requiring children to create a face on a picture of a computer screen, appeared in a monthly newsletter published by the "Wakefield Support Group For Autism", a registered charity run by a group of volunteers who support the parents of children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • Photo to right is Yvette Cooper M.p. with Mr. Keith Sorrell, Manager of Airedale Computer Recycling.       The photo below is Cathryn Baxter's winning entry.

    [The Winning Entry]
  • Yvette made time in her very busy schedule to visit the Airedale Computer Recycling facility which is part of the Chysalis Youth & Community project in Airedale, Castleford and spent some talking with the staff before choosing an entry by Cathryn Baxter, aged 11, from Dewsbury as the overall winner, who will soon receive a refurbished pentium multimedia computer system complete with internet access.

  • As there were only nine entries, it was decided that each of the runner-up entries will receive a basic refurbished computer system as a consolation prize.


    Naturally our group are very grateful to Mr. Keith Sorrell, the Manager of Airedale Computer Recycling for his extremely generous donation of so many machines.       Many thanks Keith.





    [WMDC] Our very welcome guest at the November group meeting was Julie Holliday, Wakefield Met. Senior Officer (SEN) for our Education Department at County Hall.

  • Julie very kindly gave up an evening of her free time to meet with us, speak to us and answer our questions.

  • As you might imagine, not all of our members present totally agreed with Julie, but we were able to learn from each other - including the fact of her passion for the subject of special needs (if not the reason why).

  • Julie is a qualified teacher who cares very much about children with SEN, has in fact taught children with autism.       We should now be aware that she does understand the real difficulties we face as parents, also some of the difficulties our children encounter in their educational experience.

  • Interestingly among the many points Julie made was the calculated (by others) annual cost of maintaining a childs statement at £1722.00, a figure she would rather was spent on the child's education than the supporting beaurocracy.







    [Talk in progress] Our October group meeting unusually featured two speakers.       Both from the same "Children With Learning Disabilities" team at Castleford.


  • They were Paula Deegan and Moyra Powell.       Both are qualified nurses and in addition to informing the large number of our members present on the services and help they can offer they also arrived with their previousely stated intention of learning about autism from us.


  • Among the topics they and the other members of their small team attempt to tackle with parents and carers are sleeping difficulties and behavioral problems.       Anyone can refer potential clients to them, for instance Schools, parents, G.p.'s. and Health Visitors.

  • Their clients range in age from 0 to 19 years of age with additional physical or mental health needs, living in the Wakefield Metropolitan District.       Unfortunately they have a waiting list of children waiting for their time and because of this pressure on their time they cannot offer ongoing long term care - but people can "dip back in" to their services.

  • Please note that while they have increasing numbers of children with autism being referred to them, this service is not "autism specific", they cover many other disabilities other than ours.

  • They naturally stressed that they can only achieve "what is possible".       They would draw up a very individual care plan, possibly involving other professionals if thought helpful or necessary and can be contacted at 01977









    [WSGA Exhibition Stand] Late September we also manned our usual stand at the WMDC annual "FocusAbility" (formerly "day of the Disabled") exhibition in Thornes park Sports Hall.


    [FocusAbility Logo]
  • This show featured a great many other organisations, both similar and complimentary to ours. Also some trade suppliers and local government organisations.


  • Whether this will or not benefit our group, time (or events) will tell.


  • If you'd like to know more about the exhibition the organisation or other exhibitors, see their website here for these details.









    [Mr. Knowles with some books for the WSGA] Earlier during 2003 part of an award from the National Lotteries "Awards For All" organisation to our group provided for £500.00 for books and other media to our library.


  • While an equal amount was for musical instruments, this article deals with the award for books and how we chose to buy from a small local supplier, Mr. Knowles of Horbury, pictured on left.

    [The Bookshop]
  • Laura compiled a list of suitable additions to our library together with costings.       This list was tendered to three different organisations, The NAS book service, Amazon (an "on line" bookshop) and a Horbury, Wakefield "High Street" bookshop.


  • The best deal, i.e. most books / other goods was obtained from Rickaro Books of Horbury.       This was made possible by a discount on the list prices and their nil cost of delivery.


  • To view the list of books, together with many comments / reviews and helpful observations written by Laura, please see our Library page.









    [Logo of *Special Abilities* organisation] For our September meeting we had the pleasure of both Gillian Archbold and her 23 year old daughter, Sabrina speaking to us.       Their subject was the organisation that Gillian founded and continues to run, entitled "Special Abilities".


  • Sabrina has cerebral palsy and this explains Gillians particular understanding of the practical difficulties that carers and people with handicaps face.       I'm sure we all recall the "special learning" we initially underwent immediately following diagnosis.


    [Some objects of *Special Abilities* orgainisation]
  • Gillian showed (and sold) us copies of their really excellent 70 page booklets which are frankly brilliant at demystyfying the jargon, buzzwords, specialist subjects and technical language that we were all suddenly bombarded with.

  • They do make a modest charge for this local document, also for their excellent, recently published national booklet.       This information is repeated on their also excellent website linked here .       Incidentally some copies were purchased on the night for our group library should anyone wish to borrow them.


  • They run training courses, support people, train people to support and help themselves.       presently they support 343 parents and carers via a variety of methods, email, phone or correspondence.

  • Write to them at;- email ,     or fax 01924 379472 or telephone 07796 038291.







    Laura and Richard setting our group library out over several large tables Our August group meeting also featured a rare special showing of our excellent group library, in it's entirety!     Books, pamphlets, Video Tapes, Booklets and other media.     It really must be the biggest and best asset our group owns.


    image of a book cover Since her return from Sunderland last summer when she took on the job of Group Librarian Laura has carefully added items to this resource.     Today we have a balanced selection with as far as it is possible, "something for everyone".


    Books presently in our library span age and ability groups of people with autism, they also aim at parents, siblings and most importantly of all, people with autism themselves.     They deal with management, education, bullying, toilet training and many other subjects so important to us all.     Thank you Laura.







    [A previous Outing to Kirklees] We also had a fine outing to the Kirklees Light Railway.


  • A fine write up of that day from Melanie Sykes appears here on our August newsletter page.



  • Trouble is, we have no actual photo's from that day, the photo on the right is from a previous occasion.       Have you any that you would lend for publication here please?







    overview of part of lawn Our 2003 Group Garden party was, as promised a sunny, thoroughly grand day out.     Well, all the adults said so - and no-one had to ask the children!     Their faces said it for them.


  • The usual stars were there, the bouncy castle, the toys, the sun, the children, their sibs and their parents.     Oh! I just remembered the cream scones, teas, pop and wine.    
    An innovation this time was a tombola stand stocked with very kind donations from ASDA stores, run equally kindly by Mandi Gay.     This raised a "decent" sum of money for our group.

    one little lad occupied with his tombola prize

  • This is possibly the sixth time our group has held this popular event, we really do enjoy promoting and attending it.     If you missed the event of the sunny 20th July 2003 I suppose there will be another, hopefully sunnier one in July 2004.

    Cream, jammy scones anyone?

  • Sadly the toys have now been packed away and stored in the cellar.     The bouncy castle and pump have been returned to their Dewsbury hire company.     The (cheap!) gazebo will shortly be going back into it's winter store.


  • Anyhow we have these pictures here to remind us.     In a couple of days I'll put most of the rest of them up somewhere else on this site.     Or alternately I'll put them on a CD free of charge for anyone who asks.





    image of sign over door During the year 2003 we commenced "Ladies That Lunch".     The idea behind this innovation was to enable members that were unable for a variety of reasons to attend our evening monthly group meetings some contact with other members.


  • Over coffee, other drinks and possibly food, common or specific problems can be discussed.     These meetings are not intended to replace or be a substitute for group meetings, for instance we presently cannot have speakers at this venue.


    Three of the many members at the recent July meeting
  • This idea might diminish and wither away, or it could (for instance) develop into a very popular event with rented room and a programme of speakers.     Who's to know what it will become or not become?     What we do know is that it will be driven by our membership to become what they want.


  • For instance when the July meeting took place (the same day as this was written), our group had an important vacancy that needed to be filled on the committee.     Some possible solutions were arrived at during this meeting.     So this function is already proving it's practical worth.     please watch the activities page for the September resumption.





    cartoon illustrating a point from the Early Bird plus programme NAS EarlyBird plus is a development of the already successful NAS EarlyBird programme.     If one wishes to find out about this relatively new intervention, who better to tell us than one of the principal "devisors", Dr. Jane Shields?


  • In July 2003 Jane did just that, to an extremely interested audience of (mainly) parents.     Before she detailed the latest scheme, Jane outlined the original NAS EarlyBird programme, which is presently licenced by the NAS to many regions of the United Kingdom, also Malta, Greece, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand with more than 660 professionals trained to date.     Obviousely this remains both useful and very active indeed.


  • Interestingly among the audience were several parents and other adults involved with their childs care about to commence NAS EarlyBird programmes, some part way through and some who had completed.     All of these people were pretty complimentary of the scheme, they all experienced or foresaw clear benefits from their participation.


    photo of Jane speaking to some of our members at the July 2003 group meeting
  • Both schemes are forms of early intervention.     NAS EarlyBird is designed for parents of pre school children already with a diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum), whereas the NAS EarlyBird plus is devised for parents of older children, those above four years, below eight years old.     This is necessary to help parents of children that are diagnosed later.


  • As you possibly gathered from the above paragraphs, this is a programme that works primarily with the parents, it doesn't ignore the children, but as Jane repeatedly stated, it "empowers" the parents to better understand the needs of a child with autism.     Both programmes consist of eight weekly sessions between parents/ carers and trained professionals and some home visits.     The NAS EarlyBird approach helps parents understand autism, improve communication and understand behaviour.    


  • While I've written a great deal here, there is a great deal more I've had to omit.     Should you wish to find out more about either scheme, or participate please do contact;-


    NAS EarlyBird Centre,     3 Victoria Crescent West,     BARNSLEY,     South Yorkshire,     S75 2AE

    Or;- email     Tel;- 01226 779218



    please note that "NAS EarlyBird" and NAS EarlyBird plus" are registered trade marks.





    image of most of WSGA committee, Mayor, Mayoress, Terry and Sue from Leeds Group Earlier this year Carole and Terry, residents of Sunderland decided upon a "Call For Action".     Because, in their view, our children were being largely disregarded and the time for action upon their behalf was now!


    image as opposite, from slightly different viewpoint
  • Therefore Terry simultaneousely set of on both a nationwide tour and a national petition, the intent being to draw attention to Autism in general and our children's needs in particular.    


  • places Terry visited on this national tour included Stroud, Newport, portsmouth and many others, particularly Wakefield.     During Terry's visit to Wakefield our publicity Officer, Carole Ellis arranged interviews with our local media and an audience in his parlour with our Mayor and Lady Mayoress at Wakefield Town Hall.


  • His tour concluded during Autism Awareness Week at the House of Commons where it coincided with a Commons Early Day Motion on our subject, the huge petition was presented and our subject gained useful newspaper coverage and increased awareness.     Thank heaven for people from Sunderland!


  • More about Terry and Carole's campaign "Autism in Mind" can be viewed on their large website.     The link to this will appear on our "links" page when it's built.











    It is intended that this web site, just like our group, will develop and grow.       Therefore please suggest improvements or better still contribute to these pages and our newsletter, you are all very welcome, please use and enjoy this site.


    If you wish to, or need to, please do contact me, the writer of this page.

    • Group patron: Dr Simon Baron-Cohen,
    professor of Autism Research,
    University of Cambridge.

    2003 EVENTS

    Library

    Reg. Charity Nr.1087338

    Group Diary - Nov. & Dec